Patrick Mahomes is disrespected by rowdy Eagles fans using Kermit dolls.

Introduction: A Controversial Super Bowl Aftermath

The Super Bowl, the pinnacle of the NFL season, is a time for celebration, both for the winning team and its fans. However, for some, the excitement of victory can translate into disrespectful displays, aimed at taunting or mocking opponents. One such example occurred in the aftermath of the Philadelphia Eagles’ 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 2025, where a segment of Eagles fans engaged in an act that quickly went viral – the burning of a Kermit the Frog doll. This moment became symbolic of the intense and, at times, toxic nature of sports rivalries.

While the burning of the doll might seem trivial or even humorous to some, the underlying target of the act—Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes—added a layer of complexity to the situation. Mahomes has long been the subject of jokes due to his voice, with fans often comparing him to the Muppet character Kermit the Frog. The act of burning the Kermit doll was not just a random choice of a puppet but a pointed mockery of Mahomes himself. This incident highlighted the fine line between rivalry fun and disrespect, a line that many felt had been crossed in this case.

The Kermit Doll: A Symbol of Ridicule

The origins of the Kermit comparison with Patrick Mahomes can be traced back to the quarterback’s unique voice. For years, Mahomes has been affectionately and sometimes mockingly compared to Kermit the Frog because of his slightly high-pitched, nasal sound. This playful comparison started as a harmless joke, but over time, it evolved into a more pointed form of mockery, with opposing fans using the Muppet as a symbol of Mahomes’ persona.

The Eagles fans, in this case, took this taunt to a new level. Instead of just mocking Mahomes through chants or jokes, they created a physical representation of the comparison: a Kermit the Frog doll. The burning of this doll, done in front of cheering fans, was intended to symbolize a dominant victory and further denigrate Mahomes. For some, it was an extension of sports fandom that involved taking aim at the quarterback’s perceived weaknesses, both on and off the field.

The Role of Social Media in Amplifying the Incident

Social media played a crucial role in amplifying the incident. Videos of the burning Kermit doll began circulating within minutes, sparking widespread debate and garnering attention from both fans and media outlets alike. Some viewed it as a harmless celebration—just another example of passionate sports fandom—while others were outraged by what they saw as an act of blatant disrespect.

The controversy quickly became a trending topic, with discussions ranging from whether this was a typical sports rivalry or something that crossed the line into tastelessness. People on social media, including Chiefs and Eagles fans, expressed varying opinions, with some applauding the creativity of the act, while others criticized it as being in poor taste and unnecessary.

For Patrick Mahomes, the image of the Kermit doll being burned became a symbol of how intense and personal sports rivalries can become. The act seemed to blur the line between good-natured ribbing and outright hostility, with many questioning whether the nature of sports fandom had changed for the worse.

Brittany Mahomes: A Spouse’s Perspective

While the act itself was carried out by a section of Eagles fans, it was Mahomes’ wife, Brittany Mahomes, who voiced one of the most poignant reactions to the incident. Brittany, who had previously spoken out against similar acts, expressed her displeasure at how far fans would go to taunt her husband. This was not the first time Mahomes had been the target of ridicule, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. Earlier in the season, Bills fans had used the Kermit doll in a similar fashion, an act that Brittany Mahomes condemned as “absolutely disgusting.”

Her reaction was grounded in the emotional toll these acts can take on players and their families. While fans might see the burning of a doll as a fun or harmless expression of rivalry, for those close to the athlete, it can feel deeply personal. Brittany’s comments highlighted the human side of sports and the consequences of crossing boundaries in the name of fandom.

The Super Bowl: A Stage for Over-the-Top Fandom

The Super Bowl, as the biggest event in American sports, brings out the best and worst in fans. It is a stage where passion runs high, and rivalries are magnified to their most intense level. Fans of both teams often use this occasion to demonstrate their loyalty and take digs at their opponents. However, there is always a risk that this passion will spill over into unsportsmanlike behavior.

The Kermit doll incident raises questions about the nature of these rivalries and how far they should go. Is mocking a player’s voice or appearance acceptable within the context of sports fandom? Or has the modern sports environment shifted to a place where fan behavior has become more vitriolic and less about the love of the game?

Eagles fans, like all fanbases, are no strangers to passionate celebrations. However, when their joy leads to the burning of a symbol associated with a person, the question arises: at what point does harmless trash-talking become disrespectful? This incident, especially in the context of Super Bowl celebrations, is a stark reminder of how intense emotions in sports can lead to actions that alienate or harm those involved.

Previous Examples of Similar Acts

The burning of the Kermit doll was not an isolated incident. In fact, Mahomes had already experienced similar taunts during the season, particularly from fans of rival teams. One of the most notable occurrences took place when Buffalo Bills fans hung a Kermit doll dressed as Mahomes from a pole outside their stadium. This display was also widely shared on social media, with many finding humor in the act while others saw it as an unnecessary form of disrespect.

Brittany Mahomes, once again, was vocal in her criticism of this act, calling it out as “disgusting” and a reflection of the poor sportsmanship that can sometimes take root in professional sports. Mahomes himself, while used to receiving criticism on the field, had never been the target of such personal ridicule off the field. The Kermit comparisons, while starting as a light-hearted joke, had begun to evolve into something more toxic.

The Broader Implications of the Kermit Doll Incident

The burning of the Kermit doll in Philadelphia serves as a broader commentary on the evolving relationship between athletes and fans in today’s sports culture. What was once considered an innocent joke or lighthearted banter has, in some cases, morphed into acts that can be hurtful and dehumanizing.

In the past, sports rivalries were often centered around the competition itself—who won, who lost, who had the best plays, and who was the best team. Today, however, some fans seem to focus more on tearing down individual athletes, focusing on their personal characteristics or even their families. The Kermit doll incident is just one example of how far fans are willing to go to demean a player.

While not all sports fans engage in this type of behavior, the internet and social media platforms have amplified these actions, making them seem more widespread than they may actually be. What was once a local act of rivalry can now go viral, potentially affecting the players involved in ways that were previously unimaginable.

A Call for Respect in Sports Rivalries

At the heart of this controversy lies the need for respect in sports. Rivalries should be celebrated for their ability to bring out the best in competition, but they should never cross into personal attacks or dehumanization. Sports should remain a space for athletes to showcase their talent and for fans to cheer on their teams. The moment we start to view athletes not as people but as objects for ridicule, the integrity of the sport itself is compromised.

Patrick Mahomes, like all athletes, is not just a figure for fans to either idolize or mock. He is a person with a family, with feelings, and with a life outside of the game. While it’s natural for fans to express their emotions—both positive and negative—there must be a line drawn between passion and disrespect. The Kermit doll incident in Philadelphia, while funny to some, serves as a stark reminder that we need to hold ourselves accountable for the way we treat athletes.

 A Fine Line Between Rivalry and Disrespect

The burning of the Kermit doll by Eagles fans, while certainly a spectacle, highlights the darker side of sports fandom. What started as a playful comparison between Patrick Mahomes and Kermit the Frog has evolved into something more hostile, with fans now using the image of the beloved Muppet to mock and demean a person. The line between rivalry and personal attack has blurred, and as a result, the celebration of victory has at times come at the expense of respect.

As the NFL continues to be a space for passionate fans and fierce competition, we must ask ourselves where the line is drawn in how we treat athletes. Sports should be about the joy of competition, the thrill of victory, and the lessons learned from defeat. It’s time we return to that spirit, ensuring that sports remain a space of respect, not ridicule.